A decent conclusion to a long series. The author has a quirky writing style and every so often tries to insert archaic words when everyday words will do. The ending did seem a little cheesy, as did the characterization, but what can you expect from a Star Wars novel? ( )

James Luceno authors the final chapter to the New Jedi Order series, and given his flair for drama and action, he was a good choice to bring this long tale to an exciting conclusion. As expected, our familiar heroes, Luke, Han, Leia, Mara and others, acquire a new understanding of the Force and bring an end to the Yuuzhan Vong invasion. Ok. Now what? Will anyone get to take a vacation now?

Published in hardcover by Del Rey. The hardcover comes with a bonus CD-ROM containing the first New Jedi Order novel, Vector Prime by R. A. Salvatore, in eBook format. ( )

After 18 books in the New Jedi Order series, Luceno has the task of wrapping the plot up with a climactic struggle. We get the classic mix of simultaneous space battle and personal confrontation, which goes a little over the top in the setup for dramatic conflict; I think some of the final revelations needed a bit more foreshadowing in the earlier books to set them up. It gets the job done, delivering a new stable background to the Star Wars galaxy for further storytelling, but doesn't match the quality of some of the high points in the series. ( )

I have always said that "bad Star Wars is better than no Star Wars" (a philosophy that allows me to own Star Wars Episode II on DVD). This was not bad Star Wars, but it was disappointing Star Wars. The first 300 or so pages dragged, not a good sign in a 500 page book that is supposed to wrap up a 19 book series. Maybe they were trying to set things up for the next round or novels, comics, etc. set in the Star Wars galaxy. Some of the most interesting parts of the series, and this book in particular, were parts dealing with understanding the Force. Has their understanding of the Force been only a limited understanding, all this time? Apparently the Knights of the Old Republic only had it partially right, and Luke had to finish his training without a master. I was hoping for a more in-depth discussion of the Force and the role of the Jedi following the war, but apparently they are holding that back so they can sell me more books later. ( )

Wikipedia in English (1)

At long last, the New York Times bestselling series that launched the Star Wars saga into the next generation and into thrilling new territory reaches its spectacular finale. Side by side, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Leia Organa Solo, their children, and their comrades in the Galactic Alliance rally for their last stand against the enemy that threatens not only the galaxy, but the Force itself.

The Galactic Alliance’s hard-won success in countering the Yuuzhan Vong onslaught has proven all too brief—and the tide has turned once more to the invaders’ advantage. Having overcome the sabotage strategies of the Jedi and their allies, the marauding aliens have pushed deeper into the galaxy and subjugated more worlds in their ruthless quest for domination. Coruscant has been remade into a Yuuzhan Vong stronghold. The remnants of the resistance are struggling to form a united front. Luke, Mara, and Jacen are missing in action. Clearly the stage is set for endgame.

Now, as Han and Leia receive the chilling news that hundreds of high-ranking Galactic Alliance prisoners face slaughter in a sacrifice to the enemy’s bloodthirsty gods, Luke and his team try desperately to convince the living world of Zonama Sekot to join the Jedi’s final campaign against the Yuuzhan Vong. Yet even as they speak, a lone space station is all that stands between Alliance headquarters on Mon Calamari . . . and wave after wave of ferocious enemy forces waging their most decisive assault.

At the same time, the Jedi’s alliances throughout the galaxy are being tested—and the chances of victory jeopardized—by rogue factions determined to deploy the lethal weapon that will exterminate the Yuuzhan Vong . . . and perhaps countless other species. And among the Yuuzhan Vong themselves, the threat of revolt has reached a boiling point—as the oppressed underclass and powerful officials alike fear their Supreme Overlord’s mad actions will provoke the wrath of the gods.

Ultimately, for both the forces of invasion and resistance, too much has been sacrificed —and too much is at stake—to ever turn back. And now, nothing can stand in the way of seizing victory . . . or facing annihilation.

"At long last, the New York Times bestselling series that launched the Star Wars saga into the next generation and into thrilling new territory reaches its spectacular finale. Side by side, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Leia Organa Solo, their children, and their comrades in the Galactic Alliance rally for their last stand against the enemy that threatens not only the galaxy, but the Force itself." "The Galactic Alliance's hard-won success in countering the Yuuzhan Vong onslaught has proven all too brief - and the tide has turned once more to the invaders' advantage. Having overcome the sabotage strategies of the Jedi and their allies, the marauding aliens have pushed deeper into the galaxy and subjugated more worlds in their ruthless quest for domination. Coruscant has been remade into a Yuuzhan Vong stronghold. The remnants of the resistance are struggling to form a united front. Luke, Mara, and Jacen are missing in action. Clearly the stage is set for endgame." "Now, as Han and Leia receive the chilling news that hundreds of high-ranking Galactic Alliance prisoners face slaughter in a sacrifice to the enemy's blood-thirsty gods, Luke and his team try desperately to convince the living world of Zonama Sekot to join the Jedi's final campaign against the Yuuzhan Vong. Yet even as they speak, a lone space station is all that stands between Alliance headquarters on Mon Calamari... and wave after wave of ferocious enemy forces waging their most decisive assault." "At the same time, the Jedi's alliances throughout the galaxy are being tested - and the chances of victory jeopardized - by rogue factions determined to deploy the lethal weapon that will exterminate the Yuuzhan Vong... and perhaps countless other species. And among the Yuuzhan Vong themselves, the threat of revolt has reached a boiling point - as the oppressed underclass and powerful officials alike fear their Supreme Overlord's mad actions will provoke the wrath of the gods." "Ultimately, for both the forces of invasion and resistance, too much has been sacrificed - and too much is at stake - to ever turn back. And now, nothing can stand in the way of seizing victory... or facing annihilation."--BOOK JACKET.… (more)